DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11636#0120
94 TRAVELS IN UPPER
That part of the coast of Egypt which is situ-
ated to the east of Alexandria, is easily distin-
guishable from that to the westward. It is not so
low, and is intersected by more inequalities ; nei-
ther is it quite so naked : some traces of cultiva-
tion are discernible, some date-trees and human
habitations. In a word, it is a sure sign that you
are in the direction of Alexandria, when you get
sight of Pompey's pillar, and, previous to that, of
two little rising grounds, which are behind the
present city, and within the precincts of the old.
But from whatever quarter you approach those
dangerous shores, it is impossible to employ too
much circumspection, because all these indications
are not visible at any great distance, and because
the currents get hold of ships, and carry them to-
wards Africa with a rapidity which it is easier to
foresee than to calculate.
Two ports, equally spacious, present themselves
to vessels intending to cast anchor close to Alex^
andria. The one, which is to the westward of the
citv, is called the old harbow: its entrance is
somewhat difficult, on account of two shallows,
which leave but a narrow channel between them 5
but its interior is a deep bason, where there is good
" whtth are to be seen the remains of an Arabic inscription.
" All these edifices are fallen into ruins."—Granger, Relation of
a Voyage to Egypt in 1730, page szi.
anchorage
That part of the coast of Egypt which is situ-
ated to the east of Alexandria, is easily distin-
guishable from that to the westward. It is not so
low, and is intersected by more inequalities ; nei-
ther is it quite so naked : some traces of cultiva-
tion are discernible, some date-trees and human
habitations. In a word, it is a sure sign that you
are in the direction of Alexandria, when you get
sight of Pompey's pillar, and, previous to that, of
two little rising grounds, which are behind the
present city, and within the precincts of the old.
But from whatever quarter you approach those
dangerous shores, it is impossible to employ too
much circumspection, because all these indications
are not visible at any great distance, and because
the currents get hold of ships, and carry them to-
wards Africa with a rapidity which it is easier to
foresee than to calculate.
Two ports, equally spacious, present themselves
to vessels intending to cast anchor close to Alex^
andria. The one, which is to the westward of the
citv, is called the old harbow: its entrance is
somewhat difficult, on account of two shallows,
which leave but a narrow channel between them 5
but its interior is a deep bason, where there is good
" whtth are to be seen the remains of an Arabic inscription.
" All these edifices are fallen into ruins."—Granger, Relation of
a Voyage to Egypt in 1730, page szi.
anchorage